Open University Press Critical Issues in Early Childhood Education

Product Description ·What are some of the long held beliefs in early childhood education that need to be challenged? · What can postmodern perspectives offer to early childhood educators? ·How can early childhood educators deal with the complex issues that arise in the lives of young children? This book examine critical issues in early childhood education across a broad range of contexts. The issues explored are not only critical in terms of being fundamental to early childhood education but they are also critical in that they present ideas and utilize frameworks which are not traditional to the field. The topics under review include questioning the developmental basis of early childhood education and the notion of what constitutes child centered curriculum, and extends into a discussion of the complex nature of teacher’s work in early childhood contexts which require new ways of reconecptualising the field and the role of the teacher in the lives of children. The chapters in the book explore contemporary issues using methodologies that are increasingly being favoured by teacher educators, parents and community members who find that developmental perspectives do not satisfactorily explain and assist us in our interactions with young children and their families in the 21st century. Contributors:Andrew Yarrow, Bailey Chelsea, Blaise Mindy, Brooker Elizabeth, Campbell Sheralyn, Cannella Gaile, Johnson Richard, Kilderry Anna, Marsh Jackie, Rhedding Jones Jeanette, Rowan Leonie, Ryan Sharon, Silin Jonathan, Sumsion Jennifer, Walsh Daniel, Yelland Nicola About the Author Editor: Professor Nicola Yelland has had a long interest in alternative ideas and approaches in education. Her research has focussed on young children's learning in technological contexts and she is continually impressed by the ways in which children engage with new technologies for learning and the ways in which they embrace new learning inherent to effective living in the 21st century. Her current work explores the role of new technologies in curricula and examines the ways in which pedagogies need to designed to engage children in learning in schools